Imaging apparatus with stowable media tray

ABSTRACT

An imaging apparatus has an interior cavity therein. A carriage is disposed within the interior cavity and is movable through a length of travel within the interior cavity. A cartridge is carried by the carriage. A swept volume includes the profile of the carriage and cartridge extended along the length of the carriage rod a distance equal to the length of travel of the carriage. A media tray is at least partially disposed within the cavity.

BACKGROUND

Consumers generally have limited amounts of space to devote to computingresources. Business owners also have limited amounts of space to devoteto computing equipment. Many features of products are considered whenmaking a buy decision. Most consumers and most business concerns seekequipment that is adequate to accomplish a particular task for a givencost. Another aspect of a product that is considered desirable bybusinesses and consumers is the amount of space the product uses.Generally, consumers and businesses consider a device with a smallerfootprint more desirable. The footprint is the amount of floor space ordesktop space required by the product. In short, the number of squareinches the equipment uses is important to consumers and businesses.Printers are computing items that occupy desk space. As a result, thereis a movement to minimize the footprint associated with printers,especially printers intended to be used on the desktop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus in which the inputtray and the output tray are in an open deployed position, according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus in which the inputtray and the output tray are in a deployed position, and the cover is inan open position, according to another embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus in which the inputtray and the output tray are in a stowed position, according to anotherembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus in which the inputtray and the output tray are in an open position, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus in which the coverof the housing is in an open position and the input tray and the outputtray are also in an open position, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus in which the coverof the housing is in an open position, the output tray is in a stowedposition, and the input tray is in an open or deployed position,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus in which the coverof the housing is in an open position, the input tray is in a stowedposition, and the output tray is in folded position, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4E is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus in which the coverof the housing is in an open position, the input tray is in a stowedposition, and the output tray is in a stowed position, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4F is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus in which the coverof the housing is in a closed position with both the input tray and theoutput tray in stowed within the housing, according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus with media in theoutput tray.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus, according toanother embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus, in which the coverof the imagining apparatus is in an open position and the input tray andthe output tray are in a deployed position, according to an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 8 is a broken-away view of the imaging apparatus which shows theinterior of the housing when the cover is in its closed position and thefirst paper tray and the second paper tray are in a stowed positionwithin the interior portion and covered by a cover, according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in whichare shown by way of illustrating specific embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theteachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized andderived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions andchanges may be made without departing from the scope of presentinventions. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments of theinvention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the fullrange of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus in which the inputtray and the output tray are in an open position, according to anembodiment of the invention. The imaging apparatus 100 includes a cover110 which can be moved between an open and a closed position. The cover110 is hingedly attached to a housing 140. The cover 110 is capable ofbeing in the closed position shown in FIG. 1 when the input tray 120 andoutput tray 130 are in their deployed position as well as when the inputtray 120 and the output tray 130 are in a stowed position within thehousing 140. The cover 110 includes a curved surface 112. The cover 110substantially covers an interior portion (shown in FIG. 2) of thehousing 140 of the imaging apparatus 100 when in the position shown inFIG. 1.

The cover 110 also includes a set of buttons 114, 116. The button 114 isattached to a latch for latching and unlatching the cover 110 when it ismoved from its closed position to an open position (shown in FIG. 2).Button 116 controls certain printer functions of the imaging apparatus100. The buttons 114, 116 are optional. In some embodiments buttons 114,116 control the power to the printer and the function of cancelling aprint job. The buttons 114, 116 could also be used to control otherfunctions of the printer. The output paper tray 130 includes a firstportion 131 and a second portion 132. The first portion 131 of theoutput paper tray 130 includes a guide mechanism 133 to allow the secondportion 132 of the output tray 130 to slide with respect to the firstportion 131 of the output tray 130. The second portion 132 of the outputtray 130 includes a set of tracks or grooves 134, 135. The tracks orgrooves 134, 135 mate with a key 136, 137 which are attached to thefirst portion 131 of the output paper tray 130. Thus, when deploying theoutput paper tray 130, the second portion 132 of the output paper tray130 can be moved along channels or guides 134, 135, 133 and moved withrespect to the first portion 131 of the output paper tray. The secondportion 132 of the output paper tray 130 also includes vertical flange139 that can be grasped to slide the second portion 132 of the outputpaper tray 130, with respect to the first portion 131 of the outputpaper tray 130. As shown, when the output tray 130 is fully deployed,the second portion 132 of the output tray 130 is extended out from thefirst portion 131 of the output paper tray 130. In some embodiments ofthe invention, a third, portion 138 of the output paper tray 130 is usedto catch paper that is ejected at high speed from the imaging apparatusor printer. A vertical flange 139 is positioned at the end of theflip-out portion 133. The vertical flange 139 serves as a wall to keeppaper from falling off the tray 130.

The input paper tray 120 also has a first portion 121 and a secondportion 122. The first portion 121 of the input paper tray is attachedto the second portion 122 of the input paper tray 120 by a hinge 123.Therefore, the second portion 122 of the input paper tray folds, orrotates, with respect to the first portion 121 of the input paper tray120. The first portion 121 of the input paper tray includes an exteriorsurface 124 which forms a portion of the exterior surface of the imagingapparatus 100 when the input paper tray 120 and the output tray 130 arein their stowed positions. The exterior surface 124 of the input papertray 120 has a curved shape so as to conform with the curved shape ofthe housing on either side of the first portion 121 of the input papertray 120. The first portion 121 of the input paper tray 120 also ishingedly attached to an interior portion of the housing 140. The secondhinged connection allows the first portion 121 of the input paper tray120 to be folded, or rotated, into a position where the exterior surface124 of the input paper tray 120 is exposed when the input paper tray 120and the output paper tray 130 are in their stowed positions. The firstportion 121 of the input tray 120 also includes a detent 125. The detent125 engages a feature on the interior portion of the imaging apparatus100 so that the first portion 121 of the output tray 120 remains in afolded or stowed position after being placed in the stowed position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus 100 in which thecover 110 is open while in the input tray 120 and the output tray 130remain in the deployed position, according to another embodiment of thisinvention. The housing 140 includes an interior portion 210 sized sothat both the input paper tray 120 and the output paper tray 130 can befolded and stowed within the interior portion 210 of the housing 140.The interior portion 210 of the housing includes a print medium handlingsystem for supplying print mediums such as paper, card-stock,transparencies, mylar, foils, and similar print medium of any suitabletype of sheet material. The input tray 120, the print media handlingsystem, and the output tray 110 form a paper path through the imagingapparatus 100. Along the paper path are a series of rollers (not shown)may be optionally provided for delivering sheets of media from the inputtray 120 into a position for receiving ink from a plurality of inkjetcartridges 220 which are held on a carriage 230. The inkjet cartridges220 contain ink.

It should be noted that the term “ink:, as used in this document may beused to refer to any substance that can be used to mark a print medium.The term “ink” may refer to liquid ink, dry toner, liquid toner andsimilar materials. A carriage 224 which holds the ink cartridges 230 canbe driven along a guide rod 226 by a drive belt/pulley and motorarrangement (not shown). The carriage 224 sweeps across a page of mediaduring the print process. The volume through which the carriage and inkcartridge passes is called the swept volume of the imaging apparatus100. The carriage 224 and cartridge 230 have a maximum length of travelwhich corresponds to a dimension related to the maximum dimension ofmedia that can be handled by the imaging apparatus 100. Moving thecarriage 220 and cartridge 230 through the maximum length of travel orswath length defines various volumes that are shown in FIG. 2. The firstvolume is termed a carriage swept volume 270. The carriage swept volume270 is the volume defined by a profile area of the carriage 224multiplied by the maximum length of travel of the carriage 224 along theguide rod 226. The second volume is a cartridge swept volume 271. Thecarriage swept volume 271 is the volume defined by a profile area of thecartridge 230 multiplied by the maximum length of travel of thecartridge 230 along the guide rod 226. The third swept volume is acombined swept volume 272 that is the volume defined by a profile areaof the cartridge 230 installed into the carriage 224 multiplied by themaximum length of travel of the carriage 224 and cartridge 230 along theguide rod 226. Portions of the cartridge swept volume 271 and thecarriage swept volume 270 overlap. The combined swept volume 272 is themaximum volume presented by the cartridge 230 and the carriage 224. Itshould be noted that in other embodiments of the invention, the carriage224 and the cartridge 230 may have different sizes than those shown inFIG. 2. The result is that the carriage swept volume 270, the cartridgeswept volume 271 and the combined swept volume 272 will be different inother embodiments of the invention. Ink from the cartridges 220 isselectively deposited with using one or more ink droplets on a sheet ofmedium in accordance with instructions received via a conductor stripfrom a printer controller located within the housing 140. The printercontroller generally receives instructions from a computer (not shown)such as a personal computer. In an alternate embodiment, a laser printengine, or other suitable print engine may be employed.

The interior portion 210 also includes a window 260. The window 260 iswithin the interior portion 210 and also passes through the output tray130. The window 260 is therefore positioned over the input tray 120.Attached to the bottom of the housing 140 and within the paper path andadjacent the first portion 121 of the input paper tray 120 is a paperguide 262. The paper guide 262 allows for different sizes of paper,including letter size and A4 paper. The guide 262 projects through thewindow 260. In other embodiments, the window 260 provides or allowsaccess to the guide 262.

The cover 110 is pivotally attached to the housing 140 by hinge 240. Thecover 110 substantially covers the interior portion 210 of the housing140 when in the position shown in FIG. 1. The input tray 120 and theoutput tray 130 are movable between a stowed position substantiallywithin the interior portion 210 of the housing 140 and a deployedposition substantially outside the housing 140. The input tray 120 andthe output tray 130 are adapted to substantially fully support media.The input tray 120 is attached to in the interior portion 210 of thehousing 140 with a hinge. The output tray 130 is also attached to in theinterior portion 210 of the housing 140 with a hinge 250. In anotherembodiment, the imaging apparatus further includes a link pivotallyattached to the interior portion of the housing with a third hinge. Oneof the input tray 120 or the output tray 130 is attached to in theinterior portion 210 of the housing 140 with a first hinge 240, and theother of the input tray 120 or the output tray 130 is attached to in thelink with a second hinge 250.

The input tray 120 is positioned near the output tray 130 when the inputtray 120 and the output tray 130 are in the deployed position. In someembodiments, the output tray is positioned over or above the input traywhen the input tray 120 and the output tray 130 are in the deployedposition. As shown, the input tray 120 and the output tray 130 ispositioned substantially directly over the input tray 120.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus 100 in which theinput tray 120 and the output tray 130 are in the stowed position andthe cover 110 is in a closed position, according to another embodimentof the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the input tray 120 and the outputtray 130 have been folded into the interior portion 210 (shown in FIG.2) of the housing 140. The cover 110 is then placed in the closedposition and therefore covers the interior portion 210 of the housing240. The exterior surface 124 of the first portion 121 of the outputtray 120 is visible from the exterior surface of the imaging apparatus100. The result is a very small footprint or a very small amount ofspace is needed on a desktop for the imaging apparatus 100. The inputtray 120 and the output tray 130 are in a stowed position and the cover110 is in a closed position. When the cover 110 is in a closed position,as shown in FIG. 3, with the input tray 120 and the output tray 130 in astowed position, it is covering the interior portion just as when theinput tray 120 and the output tray 130 are in the open position (asshown in FIG. 1).

The cover substantially covers the interior portion 210 (shown in FIG.2) of the housing 140 when the input tray 120 and the output tray 130are in the stowed position and the cover is in the position shown inFIG. 3. The cover 110 is movable between an open position and a closedposition when the input tray 120 and the output tray 130 are in thedeployed position. The cover 110 is also movable between an openposition and a closed position when the input tray 120 and the outputtray 130 are in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the input trayor output tray further include a slidably engaged extension member.

FIGS. 4A to 4F show the method by which the imaging apparatus 100 istransformed from a position where the input tray 120 and the output tray130 are in a fully deployed position with the cover 110 in a closedposition to when the input tray 120 and the output tray 130 are foldedor placed in a stowed position within the interior portion 210 (shown inFIG. 2) of the housing 140 and the cover is closed. FIG. 4A is aperspective view of the imaging apparatus 100 in which the input tray120 and the output tray 130 are in the open or deployed position,according to an embodiment of the invention. The cover 110 is alsoclosed. When the cover is closed and the input tray 120 and the outputtray 130 are in their deployed position, the imaging apparatus 100 isready for executing print commands and printing. The media is placed onthe input paper tray 120 and the type of paper is adjusted via thewindow 260 and via the guide 262, which is accessed through the window260 (shown in FIG. 2). Printing can then take place and the paper movesfrom the input paper tray 120 along the paper path or media path to theoutput tray 130. Along the media path, ink is deposited on to the mediain accordance with commands from the print controller in accordance withthe print job requirements submitted to the printer. When a printingsession is complete, the input paper tray and the output paper tray maybe stowed within the housing or specifically within the interior portion210 (shown in FIG. 2) of the housing 140.

FIG. 4B shows another configuration of the imaging apparatus 100. Inthis configuration, the cover 110 is opened, by rotating the cover aboutthe hinges 240, and the second portion 132 of the output paper tray 130is slid into or slidably engaged with the first portion 131 of theoutput paper tray 130.

Now turning to FIG. 4C, which is a perspective view of the imagingapparatus 100 in which the cover of the housing 140 is in an openposition, the output tray 130 is in a stowed position, and the inputtray 120 is in an open or deployed position. The carriage swept volume270, the cartridge swept volume 271 and the combined swept volume 272are shown with dotted lines. After sliding the second portion 132 of theoutput tray into full engagement within the first portion 131 of theoutput tray, the first portion 131 and second portion 132 of the outputtray 130 are folded or rotated into the interior portion 210 of thehousing 140. As shown in FIG. 4C, a portion of the output tray 130extends into the swept volume 270. The output paper tray or the firstportion 131 of the output paper tray 130 rotates about hinge 250. Thehinge 250 is within the interior portion 210 of the housing 140.

Now turning to FIG. 4D, the output tray 130 is being moved to a stowedposition and the input tray 120 has the second portion 122 folded withrespect to the first portion 121 along hinge 123. In other words, theinput tray 120 is not fully stowed but in a semi-folded position.

FIG. 4E is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus 100 in which thecover 110 of the housing 140 remains in the open position while theinput tray 120 is moved from a semi-folded position into a stowedposition. The second portion of the input tray 122 is moved into theinterior portion 210 or interior cavity 210 of the housing 140. Thesecond portion 122 of the input tray 120 nests over the top of theoutput tray 130 and is positioned within the interior portion 210. Thefirst portion 121 of the input tray 120 is rotated along a hinge 243 asthe second portion 122 of the input tray 120 is nested with orpositioned adjacent the output tray 130 within the interior portion 210of the housing 140. Finally, the cover or lid 110 is moved from its openposition to a closed position, thereby totally covering the output tray130 and partially covering the input tray 120. The underside or exteriorportion 124 of the second portion 122 of the input tray remains exposedon the exterior surface of the imaging apparatus 110 after it is in itsstowed configuration. In other words, when the footprint of the imagingapparatus 100 is smallest, the exterior portion 124 of the secondportion 122 of the input tray is exposed on the outside surface of theimaging apparatus 100. Although the swept volume 270 is not shown inFIG. 4E (see FIGS. 2 and 4C), in some embodiments a portion of the inputtray extends into the swept volume. In other embodiments, a portion ofthe input tray does not extend into the swept volume 270.

FIG. 4F is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus 100 in which thecover 110 of the housing 140 is in a closed position with both the inputtray 120 and the output tray 130 in stowed within the housing 140according to an embodiment of the invention. The imaging apparatus asshown in FIG. 4F is in the same position as shown previously in FIG. 3.

A method for moving a first media tray 130 and a second media tray 120from a stowed position to a deployed position includes opening a lidthat covers at least an interior cavity or interior portion 210 in ahousing 140, rotating a first media tray 130 pivotally connected withthe interior 210 of the housing 140 from a stowed position substantiallywithin the interior portion 210 of the housing 140 to a deployedposition where the first media tray 130 is substantially outside thecavity 210 of the housing 140, and rotating a second media tray 120pivotally connected with the interior 210 of the housing 140 from astowed position substantially within the cavity 210 of the housing 140to a deployed position where the second media tray 120 is substantiallyoutside the cavity 210 of the housing 140. The method also includesrotating a first portion 121 of the second media tray 120 with respectto a second portion 122 of the second media tray 120. The second portion122 of the media tray is rotatably attached to the interior cavity 210of the housing 140 near one end of the second portion. The secondportion is rotatably attached to the first portion of the second mediatray 120 at the other end of the second portion 122. In someembodiments, the method also includes moving a third portion of thesecond media tray with respect to the second portion of the second mediatray.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus with media in theoutput tray. In one embodiment of the invention, the second media tray120 is placed below the first media tray 130, the method furtherincludes presenting media in the first media tray 130 such that themedia substantially covers the first media tray 130 and the second mediatray 120. The method, in some embodiments, includes positioning a paperstop or vertical wall near the end of the first media tray 130.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus 600, according toanother embodiment of this invention. In FIG. 6, the imaging apparatus600 includes a housing 640, which is covered by a cover 610. Extendingfrom the housing is a first paper tray or input paper tray 620, and asecond paper tray or output paper tray 630. For the sake brevity andclarity, the differences between imaging apparatus 600 and imagingapparatus 100 will be discussed rather than giving a full description ofthe imaging apparatus 600. One difference, as shown in FIG. 6, is thatthe imaging apparatus 600 includes a shortened output paper tray 630.Other differences will be discussed with respect to other figures. Nowlooking at FIGS. 6 and 7, the imaging apparatus 600 will be discussed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus 600, in which thecover 610 of the imaging apparatus 600 is in an open position and theinput tray 620 and the output tray 630 are in a deployed position. Theimaging apparatus 600 includes a first input tray 620, a second mediaholding tray 630, a housing 640 having an interior cavity portion 710therein, and a device for allowing movement of the first media tray 620and the second media tray 630 between a deployed position where at leasta portion of the first media tray 620 and the second media tray 630 arepositioned outside the housing 610, and a stowed position where thefirst media tray 620 and the second media tray 630 are positioned withinthe interior cavity 710 of the housing. The device for allowing movementof the first media tray 620 and the second media tray 630 furtherincludes, on at least one of the first media tray 620 and the secondmedia tray 630, a first hinge 642 attached to interior cavity 710 of thehousing 640, and a second hinge 650 for allowing at least a firstportion of the second media tray 630 to fold, or rotate, with respect tothe housing 610. In some embodiments of the invention, imaging apparatus600 can also have a flip-out paper stop affixed to the end of tray 620,to catch output pages and keep them from spilling off tray 620. In thiscase, output pages would come off the imaging apparatus 600, supportedby output tray 630 on one end and the far end of input tray 620 on theother end. The flip-out output stop on the input tray 620 performs thesame function as the flip-out paper stop in apparatus 100.

The housing 640 includes an interior portion 710. The interior portionincludes a cutout 720 in the top case for clearing out paper jams. Thecover 610 is attached to the housing 640 by way of hinges 730. Thehinges 730 are molded into the core of the cover 610. The interiorportion 710 also includes a pen or cartridge change area 712. Thecarriage, which holds the pens or cartridges, is moved to the pen changearea 712. The housing 640 also includes a keypad 713 mounted into thetop of the case. The cover 610 includes an opening 612 which correspondsto the keypad 713. Therefore, the keypad 713 which is mounted to the topof the housing 640 corresponds to the opening 612 in the cover 610. Thisallows the user to have access to the keypad 713 through the cover 610and, specifically, through the opening 612 in the cover 610. The hingemechanism 650 is also clearly visible in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a broken-away view of the imaging apparatus 600 which showsthe interior 710 of the housing 640 when the cover 610 is in its closedposition and the first paper tray 620 and the second paper tray 630 arein a stowed position within the interior portion 710 and covered bycover 610. The imaging apparatus 600 includes a guide rod 826 and acarriage 824. A belt and pulley and motor arrangement drive the carriage824. A cartridge 830 fits within the carriage 824. The cartridge 830includes one or more inks. The carriage 824 sweeps across a page ofmedia during the print process. The volume through which the carriage824 and the cartridge 830 passes defines several volumes within theinterior of the housing 640. Each of the volumes is outlined with adotted line in FIG. 8. The carriage 824 and cartridge 830 have a maximumlength of travel which corresponds to a dimension related to the maximumdimension of media that can be handled by the imaging apparatus 600.Moving the carriage 824 through the maximum length of travel or swathlength defines a carriage swept volume 670. The carriage swept volume670, therefore, is the volume defined by a profile area of the carriage824 multiplied by the maximum length of travel of the carriage 824.Moving the cartridge 824 through the maximum length of travel or swathlength defines a cartridge swept volume 671. The cartridge swept volume671, therefore, is the volume defined by a profile area of the cartridge830 multiplied by the maximum length of travel of the cartridge 830.Moving the cartridge 830 and carriage 824 through the maximum length oftravel or swath length defines a combined swept volume 672. The combinedswept volume 670, therefore, is the volume defined by a profile area ofthe carriage 824 and inserted cartridge 830 multiplied by the maximumlength of travel of the carriage 824 and cartridge 830. Portions of thecartridge swept volume 671 and the carriage swept volume 670 overlap.The combined swept volume 672 is the maximum volume presented by thecartridge 830 and the carriage 824. It should be noted that in otherembodiments of the invention, the carriage 824 and the cartridge 830 mayhave different sizes than those shown in FIG. 8. The result is that thecarriage swept volume 670, the cartridge swept volume 671 and thecombined swept volume 672 will be different in other embodiments of theinvention. The output tray or tray 630 flips into the forehead portionof the interior portion and actually fits in front of the combined sweptvolume 672 where the carriage 824 and cartridge 830 must pass. Theoutput tray or tray 630, therefore, is also positioned outside of thecarriage swept volume 671 and outside of the cartridge swept volume 671when in the stowed position. The paper tray 620 fits over the outputpaper tray 630. The media tray 620 includes a first section 621 and asecond section 622, which are hingedly attached by a hinge 623. Theunderside of the paper tray forms part of the exterior surface of theimaging apparatus after it is folded or after the input paper tray 620is folded to its stowed position.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose can be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of theinvention. It is to be understood that the above description has beenmade in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinationsof the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specificallydescribed herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art uponreviewing the above description. The scope of various embodiments of theinvention includes any other applications in which the above structuresand methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of theinvention should be determined with reference to the appended claims,along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims areentitled.

It is emphasized that the Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§ 1.72(b) requiring an Abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

In the foregoing Description of Embodiments of the Invention, variousfeatures are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments ofthe invention require more features than are expressly recited in eachclaim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matterlies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thusthe following claims are hereby incorporated into the Description ofEmbodiments of the Invention, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

1. An imaging apparatus comprising: a housing having a cavity; acarriage and a carriage rod disposed within the cavity; a coverpivotally attached to the housing; a first tray movably attached to theinterior housing; a second tray movably attached to the interior portionof the housing, wherein the second tray and the first tray are movablebetween a stowed position substantially within the cavity, and adeployed position substantially outside the cavity.
 2. The imagingapparatus of claim 1 wherein the second tray is attached to in theinterior portion of the housing with a hinge.
 3. The imaging apparatusof claim 1 wherein the first tray is attached to in the interior portionof the housing with a hinge.
 4. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe second tray is attached to in the interior portion of the housingwith a first hinge, and the first tray is attached to in the interiorportion of the housing with a second hinge.
 5. The imaging apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a link pivotally attached to the interiorportion of the housing with a third hinge, wherein one of the first trayor the second tray is attached to in the interior portion of the housingwith a first hinge, and the other of the first tray or the second trayis attached to in the link with a second hinge.
 6. The imaging apparatusof claim 1 wherein the second tray is positioned near the first traywhen the first tray and the second tray are in the deployed position. 7.The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first tray is positionedover the second tray when the second tray and the first tray are in thedeployed position.
 8. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein one ofthe second tray and the first tray is positioned above the other of thesecond tray and the first tray when the second tray and the first trayare in the deployed position.
 9. The imaging apparatus of claim 8wherein the second tray and the first tray are positioned substantiallydirectly over each other.
 10. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe cover covers the interior portion of the housing when the secondtray and the first tray are in the stowed position.
 11. The imagingapparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is movable between an openposition and a closed position when the second tray and the first trayare in the deployed position.
 12. The imaging apparatus of claim 1wherein the cover is movable between an open position and a closedposition when the second tray and the first tray are in the stowedposition.
 13. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housingincludes a first side and a second side, wherein the second tray and thefirst tray are both positioned on one of the first side or the secondside when the second tray and the first tray are in the deployedposition.
 14. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a linkpivotally attached to the interior portion of the housing with a thirdhinge, wherein one of the second tray or the output is attached to inthe interior portion of the housing with a first hinge, and the other ofthe second tray or the first tray is attached to the link with a secondhinge and the other of the second tray or first tray further comprisinga slidably engaged extension member.
 15. An imaging apparatuscomprising: a housing having an interior portion; a link pivotallyattached to the interior portion of the housing; a media tray pivotallyattached to the link, the media tray movable between a stowed positionwithin the interior portion of the housing and a deployed positionoutside the housing.
 16. The imaging apparatus of claim 15 wherein thehousing further comprises a lid for substantially covering the interiorportion of the housing, the lid movable between an open position and aclosed position when the media tray is in the deployed position.
 17. Theimaging apparatus of claim 15 wherein the housing further comprises alid for substantially covering the interior portion of the housing, thelid movable between an open position and a closed position when themedia tray is in the stowed position.
 18. The imaging apparatus of claim15 wherein the interior portion of the media tray has an opening thereinfor allowing access to a paper path, the media tray stowable within theopening for allowing access to the paper path when in the stowedposition.
 19. An imaging apparatus comprising: a first media holdingtray; a second media holding tray; a housing having a interior cavityportion therein; a print engine disposed in the interior cavity; andmeans for allowing movement of the first media tray and the second mediatray between a deployed position where at least a portion of the firstmedia tray and the second media tray are positioned outside the interiorcavity, and a stowed position where the first media tray and the secondmedia tray are positioned within the interior cavity of the housing. 20.The imaging apparatus of claim 19 wherein means for allowing movement ofthe first media tray and the second media tray further includes on atleast one of the first media tray and the second media tray a firsthinge positioned near one end of the at least one of the first mediatray and the second media tray and attached to interior cavity of thehousing; a second hinge for allowing a first portion of at least one ofthe first media tray and the second media tray to fold with respect to asecond portion of the at least one of the first media tray and thesecond media tray; and a slideable portion for allowing a third portionof the of the first media tray and the second media tray to slide withrespect to another portion of the of the first media tray and the secondmedia tray.
 21. The imaging apparatus of claim 20 wherein means forallowing movement of the first media tray and the second media trayfurther includes a third hinge positioned near one end of the other ofthe at least one of the first media tray and the second media tray andattached to interior cavity of the housing.
 22. A method for moving afirst media tray and a second media tray from a stowed position to adeployed position comprising: opening a lid that covers at least aninterior cavity in a housing; rotating a first media tray pivotallyconnected with the interior of the housing from a stowed positionsubstantially within the cavity of the housing to a deployed positionwhere the first media tray is substantially outside the cavity of thehousing; rotating a second media tray pivotally connected with theinterior of the housing from a stowed position substantially within thecavity of the housing to a deployed position where the second media trayis substantially outside the cavity of the housing; rotating a firstportion of the second media tray with respect to a second portion of thesecond media tray, wherein the second portion of the media tray isrotatably attached to the interior cavity of the housing near one end ofthe second portion and wherein the second portion is rotatably attachedto the first portion of the second media tray at the other end of thesecond portion; and sliding a third portion of the second media traywith respect to the second portion of the second media tray.
 23. Themethod of claim 22 wherein the first media tray is placed below thesecond media tray, the method further comprising presenting media in thesecond media tray such that the media substantially covers the firstmedia tray and the second media tray.
 24. The method of claim 22 furthercomprising positioning a paper stop near the end of the second mediatray.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein positioning a paper stop nearthe end of the second media tray includes rotating a fourth portion ofthe second media tray with respect to a third portion of the secondmedia tray.
 26. A media tray for a printer comprising: a first portionhaving a first end and a second end, the first portion having a firsthinge potion at the first end and a second hinge portion at the secondend; a second portion having a first end and a second end, the secondportion having: a third hinge portion at the first end of the secondportion, the third hinge portion and the second hinge portion forming ahinge; and a fourth hinge portion at the second end of the secondportion; and a third portion having a first end and a second end, thethird portion having a fifth hinge potion at the first end, the fifthhinge portion and the fourth hinge portion forming a hinge.
 27. Themedia tray of claim 26 wherein the third portion of the media tray is amedia stop positioned at one end of the media tray.
 28. The media trayof claim 26 further comprising a fourth portion that slides with respectto the third portion of the media tray.
 29. The media tray of claim 28wherein the first portion, second portion and the fourth portion of themedia tray are sized to accommodate a full-sized sheet of media.
 30. Animaging apparatus comprising: a carriage disposed within an interiorcavity of the imaging apparatus and movable through a length of travelwithin the interior cavity of the imaging apparatus; a carriage sweptvolume, wherein the swept volume is the profile of the carriage extendedalong the length of the carriage rod a distance equal to the length oftravel of the carriage; and a media tray being at least partiallydisposed within the carriage swept volume.
 31. The imaging apparatus ofclaim 30 wherein the media tray has a portion forming an exteriorsurface of the housing when in a stowed position.
 32. The imagingapparatus of claim 30 wherein the media tray is disposed within theinterior cavity when in a stowed position.
 33. The imaging apparatus ofclaim 30 further comprising a cover pivotally attached to the housingcapable of substantially covering the interior cavity.
 34. An imagingapparatus comprising: a housing having an interior cavity; a printengine disposed within the interior cavity; a carriage disposed withinthe interior cavity and movable through a length of travel within theinterior cavity; a carriage swept volume, wherein the carriage sweptvolume is the profile of the carriage extended along the length of thecarriage rod a distance equal to the length of travel of the carriage;and a media tray being at least partially disposed within the interiorcavity and outside the carriage swept volume when in a stowed position.35. The imaging apparatus of claim 34 further comprising a coverpivotally attached to the housing capable of substantially covering theinterior cavity.
 36. The imaging apparatus of claim 35 wherein the mediatray has at least a portion disposed within the interior cavity of thehousing and wherein the media tray also has a portion positioned betweenthe swept volume and the cover when in a stowed position.
 37. Theimaging apparatus of claim 36 wherein the media tray is disposed withinthe interior cavity when in a stowed position.
 38. The imaging apparatusof claim 34 wherein the media tray has a portion forming an exteriorsurface of the housing when in a stowed position.
 39. A methodcomprising: pivoting a lid of an imaging apparatus from a closedposition to an open position to increase access to a media tray; androtating the media tray from a stowed position to a deployed position.40. The method of claim 39 further comprising pivoting a lid of animaging apparatus from the position to the closed position while themedia tray is in the deployed position.
 41. The method of claim 40further comprising operating the imaging apparatus with the lid in theclosed position and the media tray is in the deployed position.
 42. Themethod of claim 41 wherein operating the imaging apparatus with the lidin the closed position and the media tray is in the deployed positionincludes moving media onto the media tray.
 43. The method of claim 41wherein operating the imaging apparatus with the lid in the closedposition and the media tray is in the deployed position includesremoving media from the media tray.